French striker Thierry Henry announced on Monday that he was retiring from professional football after two decades in the game to become a TV analyst.

He posted a message to his fans on his social media page saying:

"After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football. It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special.

It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys.

I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience. 

I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part.

See you on the other side..."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he is confident that Henry will "certainly" return to the club in some capacity in the future.

"He is an Arsenal man," Wenger said ahead of his side's Premier League game with Southampton tonight.

"Certainly one day he will come back here. In what role, I don't know. That is what he has to think about: what direction he wants to give to his next life." Wenger added that Henry possessed the necessary attributes to succeed as a coach, saying: "Thierry has all the qualities because he is intelligent committed. He just has to think, 'Do I want to sacrifice all the rest of my life to be in that job?'"